Ornate 12.5" round English silverplate tea serving tray salver with a scalloped and molded edge manufactured by E L England for Frank Hawker Ltd. Very ornate engraving on the front of the salver tray as seen in the photos. Made in England. Never monogrammed.
Because large trays were expensive and valuable, an owner almost always stipulated that his name, initials or coat of arms be prominently engraved on the tray. This tray has never been monogrammed, but could easily be done by a competent jeweler.
Silver and silverplate tea service trays range in size from 6" to 3'. Those made before the American Revolution were typically round with 3 or 4 short feet at the edge; most made after the Revolution were oval. Larger trays, frequently used to carry a tea-and-coffee set, often had handles at the ends. Similar small examples made between about 1780 and 1810 often measured no more than 6" across; today, we refer to them as trays, but they were in fact teapot stands.
This English silverplate tea serving tray salver is in excellent condition with no silverplate wear or loss noted, no dents, dings or bumps. Small, shallow scratches from polishing and use are noted on the tray.
This 12.5" diameter English silver plate tea serving tray salver weighs 1 pound, 3.8 ounces and is touchmarked on the reverse with crown over E T (we have not been able to determine the silver company) SILVER PLATED, FRANK HAWKER LTD. MADE IN ENGLAND.
A1439 - E L Engraved English Silverplate Tea Serving Tray Salver MADE IN ENGLAND
SOLD!
